Friday, January 19, 2007

Cara Dillon - Original Irish Blend

Cara Dillon is a folk singer from Dungiven, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. In 2001, she launched her career as a solo artist in the UK with her debut self-titled album. However, Dillon had been pursuing a career in music since her teenage years, progressing through folk bands Oige and Equation and spending time working with her husband Sam Lakeman under the duo name Polar Star. She also collaborated with artists from a variety of genres along the way.Dillon recorded her first album in The Firs, Lakeman's parents' house. There were also recordings made in Co Donegal, Ireland. The album was mixed by John Reynolds (Sinead O'Connor, Damien Dempsey). It contained 9 traditional songs Dillon had since her schooldays and also had two original songs Blue Mountain River (which became a single in Ireland) and I Wish I Was. The album was released on 16 July 2001 to critical acclaim. The reaction to the album, according to Dillon, was very unexpected. The opening track of the album remains to be her most memorable: Black Is The Colour. The track was given a very modern and appealing arrangement with hammond organs, stuble bass playing and these combined with a delicate, catchy piano riff and a pure, crystalline vocal earned her comparisons to Kate Bush. Throughout 2001 and 2002, Dillon toured the album in the UK, Ireland and Europe and her fan base grew steadily. The album won many awards and got very positive reviews (some of which are listed below).The follow up album, Sweet Liberty, was released on 22 September 2003. In terms of sales and airplay, the album was a bigger success. Sales were helped by the inclusion of Dillon's popular version of There Were Roses and the album entered the Irish Album Charts and the UK Indie Album Charts. The album was promoted with songs High Tide, There Were Roses and Everywhere. The album also had a more balanced mix of traditional and original material, including another Kate Bush-esque track, Falling Like A Star, and Broken Bridges. Both songs showed Dillon and Lakeman's songwriting could successfully cross musical borders. Also included was a cover of the Anne Briggs song Standing On The Shore. Sam Lakeman's production skills shined through on this album, firmly installing the importance of this partnership in bringing Dillon's success.